Seattle Writing Workshop:
May 10, 2025
In-Person Writers Conference 

PITCH YOUR BOOK TO A LITERARY AGENT:

Danya Kukafka is a literary agent with Trellis Literary. She is looking for: crime fiction with a literary bent; literary horror that plays with form and structure; *lightly* speculative fiction (I am not interested in dystopian, futuristic, inter-galactic, or apocalyptic science fiction); hefty, expansive literary fiction (including literary suspense); experimental or genre-bending work; dark coming of age; fun and sophisticated upmarket fiction; true crime. Learn more about Danya here.

Tori Sharp is a literary agent with Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency. She is seeking children’s graphic novels for kids of all ages. She also seeks middle grade and “lower” young adult prose. “I am very selectively, considering lower young adult fantasy, heist, and spy manuscripts for approximately ages 13-15. I love to represent ‘younger’ young adult novels that keep teens reading and help those who may still be reluctant readers discover what it means to get lost in a good book. (No picture books or adult fiction please.) Learn more about Tori here.

Lisa Gouldy [SOLD OUT OF PITCH APPOINTMENTS] is a literary agent with Corvisiero Literary Agency. In adult fiction, she devours upmarket and literary titles with complex protagonists, and has a special hunger for stories with speculative elements. Her sweet spot is a novel with a world much like ours, but with fantasy, sci-fi, or dystopian additions that illuminate real-life issues in a unique way. In children’s literature, Lisa particularly enjoys middle grade fantasy and young adult novels with a speculative bent, as well as picture books that make her (and her daughter) laugh. She is always seeking speculative fiction with literary or upmarket writing; books that defy or blend genres; LGBTQIA+ characters; marginalized or underrepresented perspectives. Learn more about Lisa here.

Erica Bauman [SOLD OUT OF PITCH APPOINTMENTS] is a literary agent with Aevitas Creative Management. Erica represents a wide variety of authors across middle grade, young adult, and commercial adult fiction. She is most interested in commercial novels that feature an exciting premise and lyrical, atmospheric writing; imaginative, genre-blending tales; speculative worlds filled with haunting, quietly wondrous magic; fresh retellings of mythology, ballet, opera, and classic literature; sharply funny rom-coms; graphic novels for all ages; fearless storytellers that tackle big ideas and contemporary issues; and working with and supporting marginalized authors and stories that represent the wide range of humanity. Learn more about Erica here.

Rebecca Eskildsen is a literary agent with Writers House. I am actively growing my list, with a particular interest in middle grade, YA, and adult fiction. Across the board, I’m looking to elevate LGBTQ+ and BIPOC voices, among other underrepresented narratives. In middle grade, I’m mainly looking for contemporary books that make kids feel seen. Mostly I want to see fresh, engaging voices, particularly narratives with a sense of humor and a strong emotional core. For YA, I’m looking for some darker themes and twisty, gripping stories — give me your ambitious “unlikable” girls (ugh – I’ll like them). Separately, I’m looking for funny, slow-burn YA rom coms. I’m looking for a more limited variety of adult books. I’d love to have my inbox full of contemporary rom coms. I’m also looking for sagas about families and/or friends, of any age or topic, and I’m looking for 20-something coming-of-age stories. Learn more about Rebecca here.

Rae Loverde is an agent assistant at Donald Maass Literary Agency. At the 2024 SWW, she will be acting as a literary scout — taking pitches at the workshop on behalf of one or multiple co-agents at her agency. Her co-agent Cameron McClure is seeking the following: projects that combine genre style plotting with literary quality writing. She’s up for anything speculative, and is interested in seeing science fiction and fantasy, mystery and suspense, horror, and projects with multi-cultural, international, environmental, and LGBTQIA+ themes. She is interested in adult genre fiction only — no YA or MG. And she is not interested in adult literary fiction, mainstream fiction, women’s fiction, or chick lit. Learn more about Rae here.

Coralie Hunter [SOLD OUT OF PITCH APPOINTMENTS] is a senior acquisitions editor at Zibby Books. I am looking for a wide range of literary and commercial fiction, including women’s fiction, family drama, coming-of-age, psychological suspense, and elevated rom-com. I am drawn to a strong sense of voice and place and to stories that offer a fresh, dynamic perspective on marriage, motherhood, friendship, love, loss and identity (race, social status, gender). In nonfiction, I’m looking for memoirs about personal transformation with midlife audience appeal, for readers who are at a turning point and want to feel seen. In all cases, Zibby Books seeks to publish stories that showcase a genuine depth of emotion and uncover hope and connection in unlikely places. Learn more about Coralie here.

Micah Brocker is a literary agent with Corvisiero Literary. In both film and novels, she is interested in YA contemporary stories that deal with messy relationships and issues that can help young adults put words to their experiences. She is also looking for YA science fiction and urban fantasy that provide an escape while still helping us connect to the everyday troubles of growing up. In adult fiction, she loves women’s fiction and upmarket fiction that deals with burdensome secrets, messy relationships, and a character with a deep desire to change their life, the world etc., especially with a psychological, sci-fi, or romantic twist! Learn more about Micah here.

Mandy Hubbard is a literary agent and founder of Emerald City Literary Agency. She represents young adult and middle grade fiction — including YA & MG in the areas of sci-fi, fantasy, and romance. Mandy began her publishing career on the other side of the desk–as an author. Her debut novel, Prada and Prejudice, was published by Penguin’s Razorbill books imprint in 2009, and went on to appear in TIME magazine and Entertainment Weekly. She has since written 10 other novels, published by Harlequin, Flux, and Bloomsbury. Her work has been translated into a half dozen languages and optioned for film. Learn more about Mandy here.

Natasha Mihell [SOLD OUT OF PITCH APPOINTMENTS] is a literary agent with The Rights Factory. She is seeking: science fiction, fantasy, horror — these categories in adult fiction, young adult fiction, and middle grade fiction. She also selectively takes on biography and memoir. Natasha loves stories that sing, move, and shimmer, and most especially, those that are fearless in speaking their truths. She is always keen to support voices from the 2SLGBTQQIA+, BIPOC, #ownvoices, disabled and neurodiverse communities. Learn more about Natasha here.

Carleen Geisler is a literary agent with Arthouse Literary. For fiction, Carleen is looking for adult contemporary stories across genres. She loves suspense, especially if it comes with a dose of weird, and dark stories are her typical go-to. She is okay with mild speculative elements if they are close to real-world or very grounded. She loves the strange and whimsical, as well as the dark and dreadful. She likes romance, but prefers it to be part of a “bigger picture” story, or at least that it has a great b-plot. She is especially interested in stories told from the voices of women, LGBTQIA+, and other marginalized communities. She loves morally grey characters. For nonfiction, Carleen is interested in topics along the lines of spirituality, intuition, natural living, community, culture, food, and agriculture. Learn more about Carleen here.

Leslie Varney is a literary agent and co-president of Prentis Literary. She specializes in speculative fiction — science fiction and fantasy — for adults, young adult, and middle grade. Leslie has also established herself as a specialist in genre-bending fiction, enthusiastically representing authors whose works defy easy classification. “I am pleased as punch that now I get to help authors bring new worlds, new ideas, and new magic to the literary world.” Learn more about Leslie here.

Tess Jones is an independent book publisher and the founder of Egret Lake Books. Her wish list includes: fast-paced romance with a humorous edge; comedy, featuring mothers; book club novels with strong female leads; adaptations (How to Align the Stars); cozy reads in a small town; dramatic storylines with a love/relationship focus (It Ends with Us). She enjoys a series featuring one character from each family or some other interconnected storylines, or one book with potential for future books Learn more about Tess here.

Alexandra Grana is a literary agent with Corvisiero Literary. In fiction, she seeks: science fiction, fantasy, and horror for middle grade, young adult, and adult; LGBTQ stories in all genres; mysteries and thrillers; historical fiction; magical realism; weird queer. In nonfiction, Alex Is looking for: occult history/mysteries; narratives about deconstruction. Alex’s favorite genres are fantasy and horror. She is a sucker for a good magic system, reimagined fairy tales, and poetic prose. Stories by marginalized writers are of particular interest to her. Learn more about Alexandra here.

Optional Manuscript Critique Options

Add $69 — for an in-depth, personal critique of your one-page query letter from Chuck Sambuchino, one of the workshop’s former instructors. (This rate is a special event value for Florida Writing Workshops attendees only.) Registrants are encouraged to take advantage of the specially-priced critique, so they can send out their query letter with confidence following the workshop. Also, if you are meeting with an agent at the event, you’re essentially speaking your query letter aloud to them. Wouldn’t it be wise to give that query letter (i.e., your pitch) one great edit before that meeting?

Add $89 — for an in-depth personal critique of the first 10 pages of your novel. Spaces with faculty for these critiques are very limited, and participating attendees will either 1) get an in-person meeting at the workshop, if the faculty member is attending the live event, or 2) get a 10-minute phone call with the faculty member, and have notes passed along via email, if the critiquer is not attending the live event. Options:

• Women’s, mainstream, science fiction, fantasy, romance, crime, thriller, mystery (virtual critiques): Faculty member Michelle McGill-Vargas, a writing coach and author, will get your work in advance, critique the first 10 double-spaced pages of your book, meet with you online (Zoom, etc.) or by phone for 15 minutes sometime before the workshop to discuss her thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the meeting.
• Commercial women’s fiction, thriller/suspense, thriller with romantic elements, cozy mystery, YA thriller, young adult in general, middle-grade, literary fiction, and fantasy (virtual critiques): Faculty member Amberly Finarelli, a former literary agent and current writing coach, will get your work in advance, critique the first 10 double-spaced pages of your book, meet with you online (Zoom, etc.) or by phone for 15 minutes sometime before the workshop to discuss her thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the meeting.
• Children’s picture books (virtual critiques): Faculty member Rosie Pova, a published author, will get your work in advance, critique your book, meet with you online (Zoom, etc.) or by phone for 15 minutes sometime around the workshop to discuss her thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the meeting. If you submit a picture book, it must be 1,000 words or fewer (can have illustrations or not).
• Young adult, middle grade, romance, upmarket/literary, women’s fiction, fantasy, paranormal, children’s picture books; in nonfiction, self-help or inspirational by women (virtual critiques): Faculty member Lindsay Flanagan, a published novelist and former agent, will get your work in advance, critique the first 10 double-spaced pages of your book, meet with you online (Zoom, etc.) or by phone for 15 minutes sometime before the workshop to discuss her thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the meeting. For picture books, text should be 1,000 words or fewer; and it can or cannot include illustrations.
• Memoir (virtual critiques): Faculty member Kimiko Nakamura, a literary agent and writing coach, will get your work in advance, critique the first 10 double-spaced pages of your book, meet with you online (Zoom, etc.) or by phone for 15 minutes sometime before the workshop to discuss her thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the meeting.
• More critique options possibly forthcoming